We have a conscientious that tells us right from wrong; we feel guilt when we do something wrong; if we hurt someone today, we think of it tomorrow or even longer. .

Our conscience does not tell us right from wrong. There have been many studies that show this. Our conscience is our inner voice which has been programmed by our parents, peers, and society at large. Why is it acceptable to stone a woman in the Middle East, but not here? Why was it acceptable to slaughter millions of Jews in WWII Germany but not in the rest of the world? Why is it ok to drown your own child in the river in China if it's a girl and you wanted a boy, but looked down upon other places?Sorry but the whole idea of right and wrong being regulated by our conscience is bupkiss.

Our conscience does not tell us right from wrong. There have been many studies that show this. Our conscience is our inner voice which has been programmed by our parents, peers, and society at large. Why is it acceptable to stone a woman in the Middle East, but not here? Why was it acceptable to slaughter millions of Jews in WWII Germany but not in the rest of the world? Why is it ok to drown your own child in the river in China if it's a girl and you wanted a boy, but looked down upon other places?Sorry but the whole idea of right and wrong being regulated by our conscience is bupkiss.

Our conscience DOES tell us right from wrong. Like you said, it's the inner voice that's been programmed by society, telling you what is acceptable and what is not.

Our conscience DOES tell us right from wrong. Like you said, it's the inner voice that's been programmed by society, telling you what is acceptable and what is not.

So is it wrong to stone a woman for infidielity?

What about if you lived in the Middle East where it is not only tolerated but expected?

Seems to me that our conscience is heavily influenced by outside influences.

How about this: Is it wrong to strap a bomb to yourself and go blow up a bunch of people?

Consciences are very subjective depending on who you are, your upbrining, etc. There is no clear right or wrong for any situation. If you were taught to not feel remorse at stoning a woman to death then you will not feel remorse. Your conscience is not some magical mystical entitiy that automatically knows right from wrong. There are no Jiminy Crickets out there telling people what is right and what is wrong; only other people.

What about if you lived in the Middle East where it is not only tolerated but expected?

Seems to me that our conscience is heavily influenced by outside influences.

How about this: Is it wrong to strap a bomb to yourself and go blow up a bunch of people?

Consciences are very subjective depending on who you are, your upbrining, etc. There is no clear right or wrong for any situation. If you were taught to not feel remorse at stoning a woman to death then you will not feel remorse. Your conscience is not some magical mystical entitiy that automatically knows right from wrong. There are no Jiminy Crickets out there telling people what is right and what is wrong; only other people.

I have to completely agree with you! 100 years ago it was totally acceptable to own people. PEOPLE! Here in the US! Now we are appauled by it. Certainly our morality and consciences are shapped by what society says is so and what we learn from our parents.

"For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountain of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries." -Robert Jastrow

"For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountain of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries." -Robert Jastrow

"Open to the possibility of extra-terrestrial life in the universe, but skeptical of the proposed alien origin of UFO's due to a lack of strong physical evidence that would support this hypothesis."

"Open to the possibility of extra-terrestrial life in the universe, but skeptical of the proposed alien origin of UFO's due to a lack of strong physical evidence that would support this hypothesis."

This is the same dude's take on UFO.

It's funny you point that out. I really don't know anything about Jastrow, but the idea you presented about ET is similar to my idea. I don't know if God placed life on other planets, asteroids, moons, etc.

But if there is no other life than that on Earth, when mankind does make a foothold on other planets, moons, asteroids, etc., at least we wouldn't have to be concerned about competition with alien life (microbial, intelligent, or otherwise). If there is no other life, then there wouldn't be an ecological question about just taking what we want and leaving the rest.

And, even if there is ET life, I doubt they would be visiting us, and especially it seems unlikely they would hide their existence (unless it was that they feared us).